Valve assembly for container of fluid under pressure



Nov. 8, 1966 Filed July 24, 1964 4 Z5 Z6 23 a; /3 K [I yx\\\\\vx\ l 3 6 /2 34 ,33 a? I M W5 /7 35 INVENTOR.

JOHN E. MULLER ORNEY NOV. 8, 1965 ER 3,283,959

VALVE ASSEMBLY FOR CONTAINER OF FLUID UNDER PRESSURE Filed July 24, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 F g Z INVENTOR.

JOHN E. MULLER ORNEY Patented Nov. 8, 1966 fiice 3,283,959 VALVE ASSEMBLY FOR CONTAINER F FLUID UNDER PRESSURE John E. Muller, Monroe, N.Y., assignor to Acme Air Appliance (30., Inc, I-Iackensack, Nl, a corporation of New York Filed July 24, 1964, Ser. No. 384,991 19 Claims. ((Il. 222-396) This invention relates generally to valve assemblies, and more particularly is directed to valve assemblies for containers of fluid under pressure capable of limiting the maximum value of the pressure of fluid in the container, and through which either the container can be filled with fluid under pressure or the latter can be dispensed from the container.

Combustible gas, for example, butane gas, is supplied under pressure in easily transported and stored containers or cylinders for use in portable camp stoves, lanterns and the like. Aerosol containers are also widely used for many products, such as, for example, paints, waxes, insecticides, germicides, shaving soaps and medications, which are in the form of an active liquid held under pressure by a compressed gas in the container. Such containers for fluids under pressure are provided with a normally closed valve which, when in its open position, permits either filling of the container or dispensing of the fluid under pressure from the container. It is also desirable to provide a container for fluid under pressure with a relief valve capable of releasing an excess of pressure from within the container when such pressure rises above a predetermined safe value, for example, by reason of the exposure of the container to a relatively high temperature, thereby to avoid explosion of the container. Further, since containers of the described character are normally disposable after the consumption of the contents thereof, only a very low cost valve assembly can be used thereon. In existing valve assembles intended for use on containers of the described character to effect release of an excess pressure from the container, the pressure within the container and atmospheric pressure act at opposite sides of a member of relatively small area so that only a relatively small change occurs in the force tending to actuate the valve assembly when the pressure in the container increases from an acceptable value to an excessive value. By reason of such small change in the force available for actuating the valve assembly, the reliability and accuracy of its performance of the pressure relief function are impaired. Further, in many existing valve assemblies, the filling of the container or the dispensing of fluid under pressure from the container, and the release of excess pressure from the container, are performed by separate valves, and the pressure relief valve is normally urged to its closed position by a small spring Whose characteristics are critical so that the last mentioned valve assemblies are both expensive and lacking in dependability.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a valve assembly for filling a container of the described character or dispensing fluid under pressure from the container, and also for effecting the automatic release of pressure from the container when such pressure exceeds a predetermined value, which valve assembly is of simple and inexpensive construction and extremely reliable and accurate in operation.

Another object is to provide a valve assembly of the described character having a pressure relief member of relatively large area which is acted upon, at its opposite sides, by atmospheric pressure and the pressure within the container so that a relatively large change occurs in the force tending to displace such member to permit release of pressure from the container, when such pressure exceeds a predetermined value.

A further object is to provide a valve assembly of the described character formed of several parts which may be manufactured with relatively wide tolerance-s without adversely affecting the reliability and accuracy of the pressure releasing function of the valve assembly.

A still further object is to provide a valve assembly of the described character capable of effecting the release of excess pressure from the container without permanent impairment of the sealing characteristics of the valve assembly or the integrity of the container so that pressure release is achieved safely and any of the contents remaining in the container after release of the excess pressure may still be used.

When the valve assembly embodying the invention is employed as a combined filling and pressure relief valve, for example, on containers for butane gas, it is a further object to ensure a relatively wide open path for the entry of the gas under pressure, thereby to reduce the filling time.

In accordance with this invention, a valve assembly is provided which comprises a generally tubular valve body with a valve member movable in the body from a closed or seated position to an open position permitting flow of fluid under pressure through the tubular body during either filling of the associated container or dispensing of fluid under pressure from the latter, a resilient, preferably plastic annular pressure relief member or partition eX- tending around the tubular body and having opposed surfaces respectively exposed to atmospheric pressure and to the pressure within the associated container, and structure supporting the pressure relief member at its inner and outer peripheries, the pressure relief member being resiliently flexed by an excess of pressure in the associated container to displace one of its peripheries away from a seat forming part of the supporting structure, thereby to release excess pressure from the container.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the supporting structure for the pressure relief member includes an annular, flange-like portion on the tubular valve body and having at least one pressure relief opening therein, the outer periphery of the pressure relief member being engaged with, and supported by the flange-like portion outwardly with respect to such opening, and a retaining member engageable axially over an end of the tubular valve body and carrying an annular seat normally axially engaged by the inner periphery of the pressure relief member for holding the latter in assembled relation with the valve body and for sealing against the escape of fluid under pressure through the pressure relief opening, resilient flexing of the pressure relief member in response to an excess of fluid pressure at the side thereof facing away from the flange-like portion of the valve body serving to move the inner periphery of the pressure relief member out of sealing engagement with the annular seat and thereby permit release of excess pressure through the pressure relief opening.

The above, and other objects, features and advantages of the invention, will be apparent in the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments thereof which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary elevational view, partly broken away and in section, of a container for fluid under pressure which has a valve assembly constituting a combined filling and pressure relief valve in accordance with one embodiment of this invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken along the line 22 on FIG. 1, and showing the filling valve of the assembly in its closed position;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to that of FIG. 2, but showing the filling valve in its open position;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, further enlarged sectional view illustrating the operation of the valve assembly of FIGS. 2 and 3 in releasing excess pressure from within the container;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 55 on FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view similar to that of FIG. 2, but showing a modification of the valve assembly which acts as a combined dispensing and pressure relief valve; and

FIG. 7 is a sectional view similar to that of FIG. 2, but showing another embodiment of this invention.

Referring to the drawings in detail, and initially to FIG. 1 thereof, it will be seen that a valve assembly embodying the present invention and there generally identified by the reference numeral 10 may be used as a combined filling and pressure relief valve on a container 11 for a supply of fuel, for example, butane gas. tainer 11 includes a cap 12 in which the valve assembly 10 is mounted, as hereinafter described in detail, such cap having a peripheral rim 13 crimped around a rolled rim 14 at the top edge of the container, with a sealing gasket 15 (FIG. 2) being preferably inserted between the rims 13 and 14 so as to ensure against leakage between the cap and body of container 11. The cap 12 of container 11 further has an inverted, cup-shaped protrusion 16 formed integral therewith and projecting upwardly at the center of the cap, such protrusion having a central aperture at the top thereof.

As shown particularly on FIG. 2, the valve assembly 10 embodying the present invention includes a generally tubular valve body 17 preferably formed of a suitable plastic material, for example, superpolyoxymethylene having a molecular weight of 15,000, which material is available commercially under the trademark Delrin. The

The conbody 17 has an annular, flange-like portion 18 extending radially outward intermediate the opposite end portions 19 and 20 of the tubular body. The upper end portion 19 of tubular body 17 fits tightly in protrusion 16 of the container cap and has an annular recess 21 adjacent flange-like portion 18 into which protrusion 16 is crimped, as at 22 on FIG. 2, for holding cap 12 and valve body 17 in the illustrated assembled relationship.

A ring 23 of rubber or other elastic material is gripped A betvgeen protrusion 16 of cap 12 and end portion 19 of the valve body to form a valve seat. The rubber ring 23 is preferably molded to have an annular, axially open ing and tapering groove in its lower end surface to tightly receive the upper end edge 24 of valve body 17 which is preferably beveled at its outer surface, as shown. The ring 23 is further molded on the inwardly directed edge or flange 25 extending around the central aperture of the valve housing or protrusion 16, and has portions extending through 'holes 26 formed in flange 25 to prevent disengagement of molded ring 23 from protrusion 16. The inner periphery of elastic ring 23 projects radially inward beyond flange 25 below the latter and, at the lower end of the elastic ring, defines a valve seat 27.

A valve member 28 is movable axially within upper end portion 19 of valve body 17 between a closed position (FIG. 2) where it engages seat 27 to prevent the escape of fluid under pressure from container 11 through the tubular valve body 17, and an open position (FIG. 3) displaced downwardly from valve seat 27 to permit the flow of fluid under pressure through tubular valve body 17, for example, during the filling of container 11 as indicated by the arrows on FIG. 3. The valve member 28 has a stem 29 depending therefrom and a helical spring 30 extends around the stem 29 and acts against the underside of valve member 28 to yieldably urge the latter upward to its closed position against seat 27.

Valve member 28 and its stem 29 are guided in move ment between the closed and opened positions of the valve, by stopped axial ribs 31 projecting from the inner surface of valve body 17 at circumferentially spaced locations, as is apparent on FIG. 5, and defining shoulders 32 and 33 at relatively small and large distances, respectively, from valve seat 27. The portions of the ribs 31 above shoulders 32 guide valve member 28 during its downward movement from its closed position, and shoulders 32 are engageable by valve member 28 to limit the downward movement of the latter. The portions of ribs 31 between shoulders 32 and 33 serve to laterally locate spring 30, and the end of spring 30 remote from valve member 28 abuts or rests on shoulders 33. The portions of ribs 31 below shoulders 33 serve to laterally guide valve stem 29.

In accordance with this invention, the axial distance be tween shoulders 32 and 33 is greater than the fully collapsed length of spring 30, as shown on FIG. 3, so that, even if valve member 28 is moved against shoulders 32 during filling of the container, the turns of helical spring 30 are still spaced from each other and thereby permit the flow therebetween of the entering fluid under pressure. Since spring 30 cannot be fully collapsed, and thus more or less block the fluid flow into the container, valve assembly 10 makes it possible to achieve short filling times and the use of relatively high filling pressures, for example, 1500 pounds per square inch.

In order to permit the release of excess pressure from witln'n container 11, valve assembly 10 embodying this invention has pressure relief openings 34 extending through flange-like portion 18 of valve body 17 and communicating with vent openings 35 formed in cap 12 adjacent central protrusion 16. Fluid under pressure in container 11 can reach vent openings 35 only by Way of pressure relief openings 34, as a sealing ring 36 is interposed between the upper surface of flange-like portion 18 and the underside of cap 12 and is disposed radially outward with respect to the pressure relief and vent openings 34 and 35.

In accordance with this invention, a resilient, annular partition-like pressure relief member 37 extends around valve body 17 between lower end portion 20 and flangelike portion 18. The pressure relief member 37 is preferably formed of a suitably resilient plastic material, such as, for example, superpolyoxy methylene having a molecular weight of at least 15,000, that is, the material known commerciallyas Deli-in. Member 37 has an outer peripheral portion 38 of relatively large diameter, an inner peripheral portion 39 of relatively small diameter directed axially towards lower end portion 20 of the valve body and an intermediate portion 40 which preferably has an ancuate cross-section with its concave side facing away from flange-like portion 18 of the valve body. In valve assembly 10, outer peripheral portion 38 is directed ax ially toward flange-like portion 18 and tapers towards its edge, as at 41, and flange-like portion 18 has a similarly tapering annular groove 42 opening axially at the lower surface thereof to receive tapering edge portion 41. By reason of the tapering configuration of edge portion 41 and groove 42, there is a wedging action therebetween to ensure a tight seal between the outer peripheries of flange-like portion 18 and pressure relief member 37. Substantial eccentricity between the inner peripheral portion 39 of member 37 and the lower end portion 20 of the valve body, is prevented by providing the inner surface of portion 39 with circumferentially spaced, axially extending ribs 43 which extend close to end portion 20. Passages of substantial size remain between adjacent ribs 43 for the passage of fluid therethrough when an excess pressure develops within container 11, as hereinafter described in detail.

The inner end edge 44 of member 37 normally bears axially against an annular seat 45 of rubber or other elastic material extending closely around end portion 20 of the valve body below pressure relief member 37. The annular seat 45 is mounted in a recess of an annular retaming member 46 which is engageable axially over lower end portion 20. The inner surface of retaining member 46 preferably has downwardly raked teeth 47 permitting axial movement of the retaining member onto end portion 20 of the valve body and biting into the outer surface of the latter to resist downward or axial removal of the retaining member from the valve body.

In assembling together the above described parts of valve assembly 10, the spring 30 and valve member 28 with its stem 29 are initially positioned within valve body 17 and upper end portion 20 of the valve body is inserted in protrusion 16 of cap 12 which has had the elastic ring 23 previously mounted in the central aperture at the top of protrusion 16, as described above, whereupon the sides of protrusion 16 are crimped inwardly into annular recess 21 for securing together the valve body 17 and cap 12 and thereby retaining valve member 28 and spring 30 within the valve body. In the next stage of assembly, pressure relief member 37 is placed axially over the lower end portion 20 of valve body 17 and has its outer edge portion 41 inserted axially into groove 42 of flange-like portion 18. Finally, retaining member 46 is axially installed on end portion 20 and moved along the latter until the bottom of retaining member 46 is flush with the lower end of the valve body, as shown on FIGS. 2 and 3. In such final position of retaining member 46, the inner peripheral edge 44 of pressure relief member 37 is engaged by annular seat 45. The retaining member 46 thus supports seat 45' in normal sealing contact with edge 44 and further maintains pressure relief member 37 in assembled relation with respect to flange-like portion 18 of the valve body.

So 'long as edge 44 of member 37 is in sealing contact with seat 45, fluid under pressure Within container 11 cannot reach pressure relief openings 34. It will be seen that the pressure of fluid .in container 11 acts against the underside of member 37, as indicated by the arrows P on FIG. 4, whereas atmospheric pressure enters the space 48 between member 37 and valve body 17 through openings 34 and 35 and acts on the surface of member 37 which faces valve body 17, as indicated by the arrows A. The resultant of the pressures P and A acting on member 37 is a force tending to urge inner peripheral portion 39 of the pressure relief member upwardly along end portion 20 of the valve body, that is, in the direction away from seat 45. Pressure relief member 37 is dimensioned and shaped so that, when retaining member 46 is properly installed on valve member 17 as described above, the force tending to urge edge 44 of the pressure relief member out of sealing contact with seat 45 is resisted by member 37 until the pressure within container 11 exceeds a predetermined value. When such predetermined value of pressure is exceeded the resultant force on pressure relief member 37 is suificient to move edge 44 of its inner peripheral portion 33 away from seat 45, as on FIG. 4. When edge 44 is thus moved away from seat 45, fluid under pressure can escape from within the container along a path extending radially inward between edge 44 and seat 45, upwardly between inner peripheral portion 39 and lower end portion 29 of the valve body, through space 43, and then through the communicating openings 34 and 35. When the escape of fluid under pressure from the container has caused the reduction of pressure within the latter to the desired value, the resilience of member 37 returns edge 44 of the latter into sealing contact with seat 45 ,so that the remaining contents of the container are again sealed in the latter and can be used, as before.

The relief pressure can be altered either by changing the configuration or shape of member 37 or by changing its wall thickness. For example, a vaive assembly embodying this invention and having its pressure relief member 37 shaped as shown on FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 will relieve, that is, have its edge 44 separated from seat 45, at a pressure of 225 p.s.i. when the thickness of its wall, particularly at the portion 40 thereof, is .030 irich, whereas a relief pressure of 325 p.s.i. is attained when such wall thickness is increased to .040 inch.

It has been found that close tolerances need not be observed in the manufacture and assembly of valve body 17, pressure relief member 37 and retaining member 46 in order to achieve reliable pressure relief at the desired value of pressure. Thus, for example, the pressure relief member 37 may be made of an inch \longer than the dimension necessary to achieve the desired relief pressure, for example, 325 p.s.i., when retaining member 46 is installed flush with the bottom end of valve body 17. Thus, if the retaining member 46 is installed on end portion 20 of the valve body so as to project of an inch below the bottom end of the latter, rather than flush with such bottom end, the desired relief pressure of 325 p.s.i. will still be attained. On the other hand, if the parts are assembied together in the proper manner, that is, with the retaining member 46 flush wih the bottom end of valve body 17, the relief pressure will be higher than the desired value, for example, approximately 50 p.s.i. above the intended value of 325 p.s.i. by reason of excess initial stressing of valve body 17 and member 37 immediately after such assembly. However, due to the inherent characteristics of the plastic material from which valve body 17 and member 37 are formed, the excess initial stressing thereof causes slight flow or permanent deformation of the plastic material so that the relief pressure Wllll drop to the desired value of 325 p.s.i. approximately 24 to 48 hours after installation or assembly, and thereafter remain at the desired value. Thus, the relief pressure may be accurately and reliably predetermined, even though relatively large manufacturing and assembly tolerances are employed, .so long as the pressure relief member 37 is not stressed beyond the elastic limit of its material, and thereby weakened or fractured, during the assembling of the several parts.

'It will be apparent that, in valve assembly 10 embodying this invention, the member 37 which is flexed in order to efiect release of excess pressure exposes relatively large areas to the oppositely acting pressure within container 11 and atmospheric pressure. Thus, the force acting on member 37, and which is the resultant of such pressures, undergoes a relatively large change when the pressure within the container .11 increases from an acceptable value below the relief pressure to a value in excess of the latter. Such large change in the force acting on member 37 ensures that the pressure relief function of the valve assembly will be performed quickly and dependably.

The valve assembly 10 described above is intended to act as a combined filling and pressure relief valve, but such valve assembly can be easily and simply modified, as shown on FIG. 6, to serve as a combined dispensing and pressure relief valve 10a for use on aerosol containers. More specifically, the valve assembly 1011 adapted to serve as a combined dispensing and pressure relief valve is made up, for the most part, of components .which are the same as those employed in the previously described valve assembly 10, and such components are identified 'by the same reference numerals. However, the filling valve member 28 and stem 29 of assembly 10 are replaced by a valve member 28a adapted to engage against the valve seat 27 defined at the lower end of the inner surface of elastic ring 23, and a valve stem 2% extending upwardly from valve member 28a and projecting from the elastic ring 23. The valve stem 2% is diametrically dimensioned to engage closely against the inner surface of elastic ring 23, at least below the flange 25, and axial bore 49 is formed in stem 29a and is closed at its lower end. A radial port 50 is formed in the lower end portion of stem 29a and opens into axial bore 49. The upper end of stem 29a carries a head 51 which constitutes a push-button and has passages 52 extending between the upper end of bore 49 and a nozzle 53.

The spring 30 normally holds valve member 28a and its stem 2% in the illustrated closed position where valve member 28a is in sealing contact with seat 27 and radial port 50 is blocked by the inner surface of elastic ring 23. Thus, when valve member 28a is in its closed position, an areos-ol mixture maintained under pressure within the container, and which is supplied to the lower end portion 20 of valve body 17 through a depending inlet tube 54, is prevented from reaching bore 49 by the engagement of valve member 28a with seat 27 and by the blocking of port 50 by elastic ring 23. However, when head or pushbutton 51 is manually depressed, valve member 2811 moves downwardly away from seat 27 and radial port 50 communicates with the interior of valve body 17 below the lower edge of elastic ring 23 so that the aerosol mixture can enter axial bore 49 through radial port 50 and then pass through passages 52 for discharge at nozzle 53.

When the valve assembly embodying this invention is designed to act as a combined dispensing and pressure relief valve, as at 10a on FIG. 6, for example, for an aerosol container, the latter is filled prior to the closing thereof by the cap 12 in which valve assembly lba has been installed in the manner previously described with respect to assembly 10. It is to be noted that the replacement of the filling valve 28 by the dispensing valve 28a does not affect the manner in which the valve assembly operates to limit the maximum value of the pressure of fluid Within the associated container.

Referring now to FIG. 7, it will be seen that a valve assembly embodying this invention and there generally identified by the reference numeral 10b may be formed of parts which, in their configurations, are substantially different from the corresponding parts of the previously described valve assemblies 10 and 10a. In the assembly 10b the several parts thereof are identified by the same reference numerals as the equivalent parts of the assembly 10, but with the letter b appended thereto.

In valve assembly 10b, the inverted, cup-shaped protrusion 16b at the center of the container cap 12b is formed separately from the remainder of the cap or container end wall which has a central opening. The upper end portion 19b of valve body 171) is tightly received in the cup-shaped protrusion 16b after passing upwardly through the central opening in the cap 12b, and the bottom edge of protrusion 16b is flared outwardly, as at 22b, so that it resists downward withdrawal of the upper end portion of valve body 17b from its assembled relationship with cap 12b. Cut-outs or recesses are provided in the edge of the central opening of cap 12b, as

at 35b, to define the vent openings communicating with the pressure relief openings 34b formed in flange-like portion 18b of valve body 171) radially inward with respect to the seal 36b.

In valve assembly 10b, the filling valve member 28b has a piston-like form and is urged axially upward against the valve seat "27b by the spring 3017 hearing, at its opposite ends, in a downwardly opening recess 2% of valve member 281) and against the shoulders 3312 near the lower ends of stepped ribs 31b. Such stepped ribs further have upper shoulders 32b which limit the downward travel of valve member 28b so as to avoid full collapse of spring 30b when the valve member is in its fully opened position. The valve seat 27b is defined by the inner edge of a cut rubber washer or seal 2315 which is axially clamped between the upper end edge of valve body 17b and the inturned upper edge extending around the central aperture at the top of protrusion 1612.

Further, in valve assembly 10b, the flange-like portion 18b of valve body 1711 has an axially directed, annular rim 42b extending downwardly from its outer periphery and having a beveled lower edge. The pressure relief member'37b has a correspondingly beveled groove 41b formed adjacent its outer periphery and receiving the lower edge of rim 42b. By reason of the beveled arrangement of the lower edge of rim 42b and of the groove 41b receiving such edge, the pressure of fluid within the associated container acting against the underside of the arcuate portion 40b of member 37b, as indicated by the arrows P on FIG. 7, tends to maintain tight engagement between member 37 and the rim 42b of valve member 17b. When the pressure in the associated container exceeds a predetermined value, it is effective to cause movement of the inner peripheral portion 39b of member 37b out of its normal sealing contact with the annular seat 45b carried by retaining member 46b. In the embodiment of FIG. 7, the annular seat 45b is formed by a rubber O-ring received in a suitably shaped annular recess of the retaining member 4617.

Although several illustrative embodiments of this invention have been described in detail herein with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various changes and modifications may be efifected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention, except as defined in the appended claims. I

What is claimed is:

1. A valve assembly for a container of fluid under pressure comprising a generally tubular valve body adapted to be mounted in a fixed position on the container and having means defining a valve seat, a valve member movable in said body from a closed position in sealing engagement with said seat to an open position permitting flow of fluid under pressure through said tubular body, inner and outer annular supports fixed relative to said body and spaced apart radially thereabout, an imperforate resilient annular partition bridging and normally sealing the gap between said supports and defining with said supports a space outside said body vented to the atmosphere, one of said supports having an annular seat thereon, said partition having a free annular edge to bear against said annular seat and being stressed between said supports so as normally to hold said annular edge in sealing engagement with said annular seat, said partition presenting an extended surface between said supports and being elastically deformable by an excess of fluid pressure acting against said surface at the side thereof away from said vented space to move said annular edge away from said :annularseatand thereby release the excess pressure into said vented space.

2. A valve assembly as in claim 1; wherein said partition is composed of a resilient plastic material.

3. A valve assembly as in claim 1; wherein said .partition is composed of 1a superpolyoxymethylene having a molecular weight of at least 15,000.

4. A valve assembly as in claim 1; wherein the other of said supports includes an annular flange-like portion extending radially outward from said tubular valve body and having at least one opening therein constituting said pressure relief passageway, and said one support includes an annular retaining member extending closely around an end portion of said tubular body and having said annular seat thereon; and

wherein said edge of the partition normally held sealed against said annular seat is at the inner periphery of the partition and the outer periphery of the partition is supported by said flange-like portion outwardly with respect to said opening.

5. A valve assembly as in claim 1; wherein said partition has a generally cylindrical portion leading to the peripheral edge thereof normally held sealed against said fixed annular seat and a portion intermediate the inner and outer peripheral portions of the partition having the configuration of a surface of revolution defined by an arcuate generatrix which is concave toward the side thereof at which the partition is exposed to the fluid pressure.

6. A valve assembly comprising a generally tubular valve body having means defining a valve seat, :a valve member movable in said body from a closed position in sealing engagement with said seat to an open position permitting flow of fluid under pressure through said tubular body, an annular portion of substantially increased diameter extending around said tubular body and having at least one pressure relief opening therein, a retaining member engaged axially over an end portion of said tubular body and having an annular seat insert extending closely around said tubular body, and an annular partition of resilient plastic material extending around said tubular body between said annular portion and said retaining member,

said partition having an outer periphery supported by the outer periphery of said annular portion and an inner peripheral edge directed axially toward said end portion of the body and normally bearing against said annular seat to seal against the escape of fluid under pressure through said pressure relief opening, and

said partition being elastically deformable by an excess of fluid pressure at the side thereof facing away from said annular portion to move said inner peripheral edge out of sealing engagement with said annular seat and thereby release excess pressure through said pressure relief opening.

7. A valve assembly as in claim 6; wherein said retaining member includes a ring-like body having an annular recess opening toward one side and receiving an elastic insert defining said annular seat, said ring-like body having an inner cylindrical surface formed with teeth raked toward the other side of the ring-like body to bite into said end portion of the valve body for resisting axial removal of said retaining member from the valve body.

8. A valve assembly comprising a generally tubular valve body having means defining a valve seat, a valve member movable in said body from a closed position in sealing engagement with said seat to an open position permitting flow of fluid under pressure through said tubular body, an annular portion of substantially increased diameter extending around said tubular body and having at least one pressure relief opening therein, a resilient imper-forate annular partition surrounding said tubular body between an end of the latter and said annular portion,

said partition having an outer periphery of relatively large diameter engaged axially with and seating on said annular portion and an inner peripheral edge of relatively small diameter directed axially toward said end of the body, and

an annular retaining member engageable axially over said end of the tubular body and having means, at its inner surface to resist axial removal of the retaining member from the body, said retaining member having an annular seat at the side thereof facing toward said partition and normally bearing axially against said inner peripheral edge for holding the partition in sealed relation to said annular portion and said annular seat so as to prevent the escape of fluid under pressure through said opening, said partition being elastically deformable by an excess of fluid pressure at the side thereof facing away from said annular portion to move said inner peripheral edge out of sealing engagement with said annular seat and release excess pressure through said opening.

9. In combination with a container for a fluid under pressure including a cap with a centrally apertured, generally cup-shaped protrusion at the center of the cap and having at least one vent opening adjacent said protrusion;

a valve assembly comprising a generally tubular valve body having one end portion extending into said protrusion from within said container, means defining a valve seat adjacent said one end of the body, a valve member movable axially in said tubular body from a closed position in sealing engagement with said valve seat to an open position permitting flow of fluid under pressure through said tubular valve body, said valve body having an annular flange-like portion extending radially outward therefrom intermediate the ends of said body and sealing against the inside of said cap, said flange-like portion having at least one pressure relief opening extending therethrough and communicating with said vent opening of the cap, means defining an annular seat extending closely around the other end portion of said tubular valve body, and a resilient, annular partition forming a pressure relief member surrounding said valve body between said flange-like portion of the latter and said annular seat, said pressure relief member having an outer periphery of relatively large diameter engaged and supported by said flange-like portion of the valve body outwardly with respect to said pressure relief opening and an inner periphery of relatively small diameter normally bearing substantially axially against said annular seat for sealing the interior of the container with respect to said pressure relief opening, and said pressure relief member being elastically deformable by an excess pressure of fluid in said container to move said inner periphery out of engagement with said annular seat for release of excess pressure by way of said pressure relief and vent openings.

10. The combination as in claim 9; wherein said means defining an annular seat includes an annular retaining member engageable axially on said other end of the tubular body and having means at its inner surface to resist axial removal from said body, said retaining member carrying an elastic seat insert at the side thereof facing toward said pressure relief member.

11. The combination as in claim 10; wherein said means at the inside of the retaining member consists of teeth raked in the direction toward said other end of the body to permit axial movement of said retaining member only in the direction onto said body.

12. The combination as in claim 9; wherein said means defining a valve seat adjacent said one end of the body includes an elastic ring gripped between said one end of the body and said protrusion and projecting radially inward beyond the inner surface of said body at said one end of the latter.

13. The combination as in claim 9; wherein said tubular body has circumferentially spaced, axially extending, stepped internal ribs defining first and second shoulders at relatively small and large distances, respectively, from said valve seat, said first shoulders being engageable with said valve member to limit movement of the latter away from said valve seat, and a coil spring is interposed between said valve member and said second shoulders to urge the valve member against the valve seat, the axial distance between said first and second shoulders being substantially greater than the fully collapsed length of said spring.

14. The combination as in claim 12; wherein said valve member includes a stern projecting axially through said elastic ring and said centrally apertured protrusion and an enlarged head at the end of said stem within said valve body engageable substantially axially against said elastic ring in said closed position of the valve member, said stem having an axial discharge bore which is closed at said end of the stem within the valve body and a radial port extending from said axial bore, said port being blocked by said elastic ring in said closed position of the valve member and opening into said tubular valve body in said open position of the valve member to receive fluid under pressure entering said valve body at said other end of the latter for discharge through said axial bore of the stem.

15. The combination as in claim 12; wherein said protrusion of the cap has an inwardly directed flange extending around its central aperture and formed with holes therethrough, and said elastic ring defining the valve seat is molded on said flange and has parts above and below the flange connected through said holes.

16. The combination as in claim 9; wherein said one end portion of the tubular valve body has an external, annular recess, and said protrusion of the cap is crimped into said annular recess for securing said valve body with respect to said cap.

17. The combination as in claim 9; wherein said protrusion is formed separately from the remainder of said cap which includes a wall having a central aperture through which said one end portion of the valve body projects, and said protrusion engages tightly over said one end portion of the valve body and bears against said wall around said central aperture of the latter to hold said valve body in assembled relation with said cap.

18. A valve assembly comprising a valve body including a tubular portion having means defining a valve seat and an annular portion of substantially increased diameter extending from said tubular portion and having at least one pressure relief opening therein, a valve member movable in said tubular portion from a closed position in sealing engagement with said seat to an open position permitting flow of fluid under pressure through said tubular portion of the body,

a resilient partition surrounding said tubular portion between an end of the latter and said annular portion, said partition being an annular, shape-retaining molded body of resilient plastic material and having an outer peripheral edge of relatively large diameter engaged axially with and seated on said annular portion and an inner peripheral edge of relatively small diameter directed axially toward said end of the tubular portion, said partition including a substantially cylindrical portion leading to said inner peripheral edge and a portion intermediate said cylindrical por tion and said outer peripheral edge having the configuration of a surface of revolution which is concave at the side thereof facing away from said annular portion of the valve body, and

an annular retaining member on said end of the tubular portion of the valve body, said retaining member having an annular seat at the side thereof facing toward said partition and normally bearing axially against said inner peripheral edge for holding said partition in sealed relation to said annular portion of the valve body and to said annular seat so as to prevent the escape of fluid under pressure through said opening, said partition being elastically deformable by an excess of fluid pressure at said side facing away from the annular portion of the valve body to move said inner peripheral edge out of sealing engagement with said annular seat and thereby release excess pressure through said opening.

19. A valve assembly for a container of fluid under pressure comprising a generally tubular valve body adapted to be mounted in a fixed position on the container and having means defining a valve seat, a valve member movable in said body from a closed position in sealing engagement with said seat to an open position permitting flow of fluid under pressure through said tubular body, inner and outer annular supports fixed relative to said body and spaced apart radially thereabout, an imperforate resilient annular partition bridging and normally sealing the gap between said supports and defining with said supports a space outside said body vented to the atmosphere, each of said supports having an annular seat thereon, said partition having inner and outer annular edges to bear against the annular seats of said inner and outer supports, respectively, and being stressed between said supports so as normally to hold said annular edges in sealing engagement with the respective annular seats, said partition presenting an extended surface between said supports and being elastically deformable by an excess of fluid pressure acting against said surface at the side thereof away from said vented space to move one of said annular edges away from the respective annular seat and thereby release the excess pressure into said vented space.

References (Iited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,005,577 10/1961 Webster 222-397 3,064,673 11/ 1962 Rockwell 222-396 X 3,083,882 4/1963 Schmid et al. 222-396 3,158,297 11/1964 Ferry et al. 222394 ROBERT B. REEVES, Primary Examiner.

F. R. HANDREN, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A VALVE ASSEMBLY FOR A CONTAINER OF FLUID UNDER PRESSURE COMPRISING A GENERALLY TUBULAR VALVE BODY ADAPTED TO BE MOUNTED IN A FIXED POSITION ON THE CONTAINER AND HAVING MEANS DEFINING A VALVE SEAT, A VALVE MEMBER MOVABLE IN SAID BODY FROM A CLOSED POSITION IN SEALING ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID SEAT TO AN OPEN POSITION PERMITTING FLOW OF FLUID UNDER PRESSURE THROUGH SAID TUBULAR BODY, INNER AND OUTER ANNULAR SUPPORTS FIXED RELATIVE TO SAID BODY AND SPACED APART RADIALLY THEREABOUT, AN IMPERFORATE RESILIENT ANNULAR PARTITION BRIDGING AND NORMALLY SEALING THE GAP BETWEEN SAID SUPPORTS AND DEFINING WITH SAID SUPPORTS A SPACE OUTSIDE SAID BODY VENTED TO THE ATMOSPHERE, EACH OF SAID SUPPORTS HAVING AN ANNULAR SEAT THEREON, SAID PARTITION HAVING INNER AND OUTER ANNULAR EDGES TO BEAR AGAINST THE ANNULAR SEATS OF SAID INNER AND OUTER SUPPORTS, RESPECTIVELY, AND BEING STRESSED BETWEEN SAID SUPPORTS SO AS NORMALLY TO HOLD SAID ANNULAR EDGES IN SEALING ENGAGEMENT WITH THE RESPECTIVE ANNULAR SEATS, SAID PARTITION PRESENTING AN EXTENDED SURFACE BETWEEN SAID SUPPORTS AND BEING ELECTRICALLY DEFORMABLE BY AN EXCESS OF FLUID PRESSURE ACTING AGAINST SAID SURFACE AT THE SIDE THEREOF AWAY FROM SAID VENTED SPACE TO MOVE ONE OF SAID ANNULAR EDGES AWAY FROM THE RESPECTIVE ANNULAR SEAT AND THEREBY RELEASE THE EXCESS PRESSURE INTO SAID VENTED SPACE. 